India and France conclude final negotiations on Surface to Air Missile worth $6 billion; Defence minister pleads for a proactive role by India in West Asia region
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    • February 11-17

    According to reports, India and France on February 14 concluded negotiations on the Short Range Surface to Air Missile nearly worth of $6 billion during the talks between French President Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Hollande has chosen India as the first Asian destination for a bilateral trip, which demonstrates the importance of relationship between the two countries. Defense cooperation between the two countries is increasing steadily and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in this context, "Discussions on the MMRCA contract are progressing well. We have also concluded negotiations on the Short Range Surface to Air Missile, which, once approved by the Government, will be co-developed and co-produced in India." The Rs 30,000 crore worth of SR-SAM project is a co- development joint venture between India and France and would be developed by MBDA of France and DRDO from the Indian side. The surface to air missile defence system would be deployed by the IAF and the Navy. 1

    In another development, according to reports, In the backdrop of tumultuous changes sweeping the Middle East, the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony today expressed concern about the safety and security of Indians working in the region.

    Addressing the 15th Asian Security Conference organized by IDSA here he said, “the strong urge for change is clearly visible across the region.” Dwelling at length on the changes taking place in the Middle EastShri Antony said, the voice of youth is a universal message that is strongly echoing across to governments in all regions of the world. Defence Minister said, the recent developments in all these countries give us lesson that no government, or regime, can afford to ignore the popular aspirations anymore. Shri Antony emphasised that social media has emerged as a potent and vibrant force. The social media has served as a 'force multiplier' in the hands of the protesters, he said. Shri Antony noted that “such transition unfortunately has been accompanied by large-scale violence.” Expressing deep concern on the ongoing violence in Syria and supposedly the Al Qaeda taking over the government in Mali, he remarked “India can ill afford to remain aloof from the transformative changes in its immediate and extended neighborhood.” He cautioned the audience that the “journey ahead will be long, tortuous and full of twists and turns.” Since the developments in West Asia have the potential of changing the regional and geopolitical landscape and the region being critical for energy security, we have to be extremely tactful in safeguarding our interests while dealing with the problems of the region, he added. 2

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